June 2009
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 14, No. 6
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, June 7th, 2009
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Membership
Gilda Corrales (407) 327-5494
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month at
the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme east end
of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport) in Orlando.
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us.
Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we
do. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org or myspace page at
http://www.myspace.com/internationalsongwritersguildorlando .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
This time of year, we need a good spring song!! The song “It Might as Well Be Spring” is
nice, but it does nothing to describe the weather or the time of year. It’s referring to
love.
Does this give you any ideas? It makes me think we need such a song. Now for another
idea: how about if we join forces at the next meeting, to try to write a spring or summer
song together? It will give each of us a chance to be a part of it. In the meantime,
perhaps, you might want to do some writing before the meeting. I think I will. I think it
would be fun to do this as a group.
Don’t give up writing about Christmas, New Years, and other holidays and times of year.
But I thought it would be something different to try to write a song on the spot at the
meeting.
If you have something for us to hear that has nothing to do with the weather, of course
bring it for us to hear. I’m always interested in hearing something new from you.
Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday. And seriously, try to come up with some
ideas!
Russ
Writing Country Songs
By Will Campbell
This is the first of what I hope will be series of articles about my views on writing and
composing country music, recording, etc. Our Guild certainly has some very clever and
talented members, and it's super that we can all learn and exchange ideas. That is what
this article is about: sharing. I have my own ideas and concepts. As you all know, it's
great getting to share our talents.
Songwriting has been and, I suppose, always will be a magical process. What really
mystifies me is how a good songster can sit down over a period of time and write five
songs, four of which will turn out to be ordinary in every respect and one a classic which
will be sung and studied for years. I don't think anyone has figured out where the 'big
one' comes from. Every songwriter hopes for the big song or songs, one that everyone will
hear and enjoy, one that will make his friends say, "I guess he wasn't crazy after all!"
Listen and learn from country hits like "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Rocky Top," "For The Good
Times," "Help Me Make It Through The Night," and "All My Exes Live In Texas." These songs
all have real simple melodies, clever titles, and lyrics that are to the point without
complicated wording or phrasing. The chord progressions are just right, and the authors
kept the rhythms real simple.
I firmly believe that every songwriter who has learned the tools of the trade, studied
other songs, and is half-way clever can write a good song. It may not turn out to be a
hit, but it will turn out to be a good singable and playable song. So spend lots of time
listening and studying the standards; figure out what made them great. You won't find a
sloppy word or melody note in a one of them. The relationship between singable words and
harmonies will be pleasingly perfect (with a few exceptions). All country standards are
exceedingly simple, and each line follows the other logically. If you write a song that
causes a listener to say "I got lost somewhere," you're probably doing something very
wrong.
I start almost all of my songs with a title first; with a title, I already have the story
to tell. My titles come from a lot of places: television, conversations, magazines,
newspapers, etc. I always like to use a bridge in a song because it actually seems like
two songs in one if a bridge is used. Key changes are very useful; go up or down a key and
experiment. Unusual musical fills are also useful. Use good simple bass lines, too. As I
said, use various rhythms, key changes, and clever melodic chords. And use words with very
few syllables and very singable melodies. I also think it's a good idea to write a lot of
different types of songs.
You can tell if your song is any good; don't even finish the songs that are obviously going
nowhere. I don't think you can sit down and just write a song or two and get a hit. It
takes lots of time and effort but, yep, you can do it.
ISG Bulletin Board
Central Florida Folk is looking for a new venue for their monthly Songwriters’ Round. Till
recently, it was held in the Plaza Theater lobby not far from the Union Hall; several ISG
members performed there. If anyone knows of a decent venue, preferably in the same general
area, please contact Susan Foster-Trewick at susiecool2001@yahoo.com.
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays and Saturdays at
6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd, Apopka, FL 407 774 0402
Kitty Camp Pet Boarding—A loving, lakeside resort in Fruitland Park. Daily activities
include: playtime, bird-watching, brushing, petting, purring, sunbathing, catnapping, and
kitty’s favorite…mealtime! Daily/Weekly/Long Term, private rooms and suites available.
25% off weekly stay, FREE first night. Please call for details at 352-205-4284. Posted by
ISG member Jackie Gould.
Delivering high-quality FLASH streaming video! No matter what product or service you may
be offering, the power of video can be impressive! In fact, flash video is the most
effective way to deliver rich media on your website. Video grabs your visitor's interest
more so than simply text and images, or even audio. Video keeps visitors on your site
longer and often triggers a purchase! Video not only will enhance your marketing message,
but it's also entertaining. Video is useful for demonstrating your product or service, as
well as teaching, inspiring, and motivating your visitors to become a customer! So if
you're holding out with a website that may look outdated or obsolete, you may be losing
business. It's time to make a change. Visit my website at http://www.videosaysitall.com.
Thanks and call me anytime (352-326-4295)…Carlos Colon
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association, Local 389.
You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the interests of the
professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more information. You may
reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you
would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at the meetings or email
him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print
deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the
ISG. For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-
members, please call Russ or Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com .
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just
get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the
monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome!
May’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Something to Believe In by Melanie Fisher
(2) Show Me Yours by Bob Witmer and Will Campbell
(3) It’s Time by Susan Foster-Trewick and Lisa Firestone
(4) Maureen in Aberdeen by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2009 ISG